They know that the footballing scene in the city is sad. They know that the prospects in football compared to cricket are dismal. But these six Calcutta boys cannot spend a day without dribbling and diving, shooting and saving. Because they are like that only.

And it’s this passion for the beautiful game — coupled with eye-catching skill on the ball — that has become their passport to Arsenal. These six teenaged boys (along with 10 others from other parts of the country) will be attending an intensive training camp in the UK club from July 26 to August 3.

They will train under head coach Paul Shipwright and deputy coach Martin Davis from the Arsenal International Soccer School, they will witness the 18th edition of the Arsenal International Soccer Festival that kicks off in August and get Arsenal memorabilia personally autographed by the likes of Cesc Fabregas.

Picked by head scout and former Maidan marksman Jamshed Nassiri from among hundreds of boys battling it out in the Tata Tea Arsenal Soccer Star tournament, they are all geared up for their dream trip. Metro on Sunday gets to know these little-known city heroes better...

Name: Sumit Das

Nickname: Sumo

Date of birth: December 9, 1993

School: Shyambazar A.V. School

First football memory: I would always play football and no other sport. There have been times when I have gone to play when everyone at home is convinced that I am at school! Also, I bought my first pair of boots with my own pocket money.

Position: Centre back

Football hero: Cristiano Ronaldo

Footballing dream: I want to be a professional footballer. I want to play for Mohun Bagan.

Arsenal is: A dream. My favourite.

One thing I would want to change about football in India: The system lacks professionalism. There are no proper fields. There is lobbying and politics.

Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta

Name: Yan Cheng Law

Nickname: Noel

Date of birth: December 24, 1992

School: La Martiniere for Boys

First football memory: I got pulled into soccer by my school and then just carried on. The game grew on me.

Position: Central midfield

Football hero: Cesc Fabregas

Footballing dream: To play in the English Premier League and also represent India.

Arsenal is: The best.

One thing I would want to change about football in India: The lack of teamwork. You see international teams, you know the difference. Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone

Name: Jitu Das

Nickname: Chunku

Date of birth: December 6, 1994

School: Basudebpur Pally Hitashdhani High School

First football memory: I used to kick plastic balls and then got into para football.

Position: Central midfield

Football hero: Cristiano Ronaldo

Footballing dream: Not to get into the wrong company and to be successful.

Arsenal is: A favourite.

One thing I would want to change about football in India: The lack of proper practice facilities.

Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan. I am not interested in girls!

Name: Mojaffar Ali

Nickname: Chhotu

Date of birth: December 13, 1993

School: Basudebpur Pally Hitashdhani High School

First football memory: The one time as a kid I slided and cleared the ball.

Position: Centre half

Football hero: Steven Gerrard

Footballing dream: Be successful and play for Mohun Bagan and Manchester United.

Arsenal is: The best place I could have been in.

One thing I would want to change about football in India: The lack of good fields, proper infrastructure and lack of residential academies.

Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif

Name: Arindam Mitra

Nickname: Panchu

Date of birth: July 1, 1994

School: Basudebpur Pally Hitashdhani High School

First football memory: When the dadas in my locality would be playing the ball would at times fall into the pond. I would plunge in, swim and get the ball.

Position: Goalkeeper

Football hero: Frank Lampard

Footballing dream: I want to play for India. I also want to be in the Barcelona team.

Arsenal is: The best place I could have been in.

One thing I would want to change about football in India: The lack of good environment and the lack of good fields.

Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan

Name: Karim Mistry

Nickname: Karim

Date of birth: May 15, 1994

School: St Lawrence High School

First football memory: As a kid, I would have great fun playing football in the rain.

Position: Striker

Football hero: Samuel Eto’o

Footballing dream: To be a good player. I want to play for Mohun Bagan and then Barcelona.

Arsenal is: A big club.

One think I would want to change about football in India: I would like to introduce great coaches.

Favourite Bollywood hero and heroine: Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif